What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium C12-13 Pareth Sulfate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingSodium Chloride
MaskingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicNiacinamide
SmoothingDimethiconol
EmollientParfum
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingGlycerin
HumectantSodium Benzoate
MaskingGlycol Distearate
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Laureth Sulfate
CleansingTea-Dodecylbenzenesulfonate
CleansingCocamide Mea
EmulsifyingGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
PEG-45m
HumectantPPG-9
Skin ConditioningAmyl Cinnamal
PerfumingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingMica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Sodium C12-13 Pareth Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Chloride, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ascorbic Acid, Panthenol, Biotin, Niacinamide, Dimethiconol, Parfum, Citric Acid, Glycerin, Sodium Benzoate, Glycol Distearate, Carbomer, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Tea-Dodecylbenzenesulfonate, Cocamide Mea, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Disodium EDTA, PEG-45m, PPG-9, Amyl Cinnamal, Benzyl Alcohol, Limonene, Linalool, Mica, CI 77891
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
CleansingLauryl Betaine
CleansingCocamide Methyl Mea
SurfactantAsparagopsis Armata Extract
Skin ProtectingPropanediol
SolventGamma-Docosalactone
Skin ConditioningQuaternium-33
PEG-32
HumectantPEG-6
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantGlucosyl Hesperidin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantHydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningGlycerylamidoethyl Methacrylate/Stearyl Methacrylate Copolymer
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSorbitol
HumectantPrunus Domestica Seed Extract
EmollientAscophyllum Nodosum Extract
Skin ConditioningPisum Sativum Sprout Extract
Skin ConditioningKeratin
Skin ConditioningChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingSpiraea Ulmaria Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningIsomalt
HumectantPolyquaternium-10
Polyquaternium-7
Hydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientHydrolyzed Keratin
HumectantHydrolyzed Silk
HumectantPCA Ethyl Cocoyl Arginate
MoisturisingHydrolyzed Silk Pg-Propyl Methylsilanediol
Skin ConditioningBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicPouteria Sapota Seed Oil
EmollientPhytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
Skin ConditioningSclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil
HumectantTheobroma Grandiflorum Seed Butter
Skin ConditioningMangifera Indica Seed Oil
EmollientUbiquinone
AntioxidantGlycine Soja Sterols
EmollientCeramide Ng
Skin ConditioningArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientCeramide Ag
HumectantCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningChenopodium Quinoa Seed Oil
EmollientCarapa Guaianensis Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningAdansonia Digitata Seed Oil
EmollientSodium Chloride
Masking1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
EmollientSalicylic Acid
MaskingO-Cymen-5-Ol
AntimicrobialTea-Cocoyl Glutamate
CleansingPotassium Cocoyl Hydrolyzed Keratin
Skin ConditioningQuaternium-18
SurfactantBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativePEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingGlycerin
HumectantPropylene Glycol
HumectantCitric Acid
BufferingTocopherol
AntioxidantDisodium EDTA
Sodium Benzoate
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingCaramel
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Lauryl Betaine, Cocamide Methyl Mea, Asparagopsis Armata Extract, Propanediol, Gamma-Docosalactone, Quaternium-33, PEG-32, PEG-6, Dipropylene Glycol, Glucosyl Hesperidin, Butylene Glycol, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Glycerylamidoethyl Methacrylate/Stearyl Methacrylate Copolymer, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sorbitol, Prunus Domestica Seed Extract, Ascophyllum Nodosum Extract, Pisum Sativum Sprout Extract, Keratin, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Spiraea Ulmaria Flower Extract, Isomalt, Polyquaternium-10, Polyquaternium-7, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Hydrolyzed Silk, PCA Ethyl Cocoyl Arginate, Hydrolyzed Silk Pg-Propyl Methylsilanediol, Biotin, Pouteria Sapota Seed Oil, Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Theobroma Grandiflorum Seed Butter, Mangifera Indica Seed Oil, Ubiquinone, Glycine Soja Sterols, Ceramide Ng, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Ceramide Ag, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Chenopodium Quinoa Seed Oil, Carapa Guaianensis Seed Oil, Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil, Sodium Chloride, 1,2-Hexanediol, Cholesterol, Salicylic Acid, O-Cymen-5-Ol, Tea-Cocoyl Glutamate, Potassium Cocoyl Hydrolyzed Keratin, Quaternium-18, Behentrimonium Chloride, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Citric Acid, Tocopherol, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Caramel
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Biotin is a B vitamin that is naturally produced by our bodies. It is also called Vitamin H.
Our bodies use biotin in the metabolism process. It also helps our bodies use enzymes and move nutrients around. A biotin deficiency can lead to brittle hair and nails.
More research is needed on applying biotin topically. However, taking biotin orally has been shown to help nourish the skin, hair, and nails. They play a role in forming skin-hydrating fatty acids.
Biotin is water-soluble. It can be found in foods such as fish, eggs, dairy, nuts, and meat. Vitamin H stands for "haar" and "haut". These are the German words for hair and skin.
Learn more about BiotinCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateChances are, you eat sodium chloride every day. Sodium Chloride is also known as table salt. This ingredient has many purposes in skincare: thickener, emulsifier, and exfoliator.
You'll most likely find this ingredient in cleansers where it is used to create a gel-like texture. As an emulsifier, it also prevents ingredients from separating.
You might see people debate whether Sodium Chloride is comedogenic, but there actually haven't been any comedogenic tests done on it. Either way, the overall formulation of a product matters a lot more than any single ingredient.
You might see this ingredient used in scrubs as a primary exfoliating ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium ChlorideWater. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water